Pentagon Officials Face Republican Criticism Over Budget and Iran Strategy
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Hegseth takes heat from Republicans in back-to-back hearings: 5 takeaways Republicans in the House and Senate vented their frustrations with the Pentagon on Tuesday, using a pair of back-to-back hearings to press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the Iran war, President Trump’s unusual plan to fund the Defense Department, spending priorities and America’s dwindling munitions stockpiles. The hearings come as the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran…
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PBS NewsHourWATCH LIVE: Hegseth, Caine testify on Capitol Hill as Trump says Iran ceasefire is weak Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a new round of questioning from lawmakers over the Iran war Tuesday, including some Republicans who have expressed concerns over the length of the conflict and its lack of congressional approval.
New York PostDuring the roughly two-hour-long hearing, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fielded bipartisan grumblings that the Pentagon hasn’t been more upfront with lawmakers about the more specific costs of the war in Iran.
The InterceptHurst, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are on Capitol Hill to discuss the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion budget request for 2027 before House and Senate appropriations subcommittees on Tuesday. Hegseth said the massive sum — the largest request in history — “reflects the urgency of the moment” and would address both the “deferment of long-standing problems as well as position our forces for the current and future fight.”
BreitbartHegseth and Caine are there to discuss the proposed budget for the Department of War but will undoubtedly face questions over the conflict in Iran.
Fox NewsHurst testified to Congress in April that the Iran war has cost $25 billion so far, mostly for munitions, though multiple reports say the total could be far higher. The Department of War is expected to seek a defense supplemental request following the conclusion of the conflict, which could be much larger in scope.
New York TimesPentagon Puts Iran War Cost at $29 Billion as Hegseth Deflects on Funding The estimate from the Defense Department’s top budget official was $4 billion higher than two weeks ago. Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to say when the administration would request extra money for the Iran conflict.
Washington TimesDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday the Pentagon is prepared to restart combat operations against Iran if necessary, even as President Trump, Pakistani mediators and Iranian officials worked behind the scenes to find a diplomatic solution to the war.
NPR NewsToday's top stories The Pentagon now estimates that the cost of the war with Iran is approximately $29 billion. Top defense officials answered questions from Congress yesterday. That price tag, up from the estimated $25 billion two weeks ago, was one of the specifics mentioned during the day's testimony.
Washington ExaminerThe Pentagon leaders are expected to face a fierce line of questioning from both Democrats and Republicans, which will likely focus on the cost and justification of the war in Iran.
ReutersUS war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far, Pentagon says - Reuters US war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far, Pentagon says Reuters
NBC News01:53 Trump says ceasefire with Iran is 'on massive life support' 03:30 Breaking down health officials' update after Americans return to the U.S.
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“I would characterize that as a one-time plus-up for catch-up,” Jules Hurst, the acting Under Secretary of Defense, who serves as the de facto chief financial officer at the Pentagon, told lawmakers. “To fix all of our poor and failing barracks and other facilities of the department, and also some catch-up investments in AI and autonomy.”
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“We think we can sustain these investments over [time] with discretionary dollars after this,” he added. “[In our] budget request for ’28, we expect to request … discretionary only … and I believe the top line for that is $1.23 [trillion].”
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Murphy called the dramatic 45 percent increase a negotiating tactic. “They’re seeking $350 billion through reconciliation and $1.15 trillion in the base budget, but they know reconciliation is a long shot. It’s all about trying to make a $1.15 trillion Pentagon budget seem reasonable in comparison,” said Murphy. “But there’s nothing reasonable about it. It’s a roughly $150 billion increase over last year.”
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New York PostThe Pentagon is seeking a roughly 45% increase in military spending. Getty Images
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Pete Hegseth says there is a 'plan' to escalate Iran war if necessary - USA Today Pete Hegseth says there is a 'plan' to escalate Iran war if necessary USA Today
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Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 The Atlantic The continuing crisis in Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have exacted a heavy cost worldwide. In addition to the steep price of military expenditures, destroyed infrastructure, and human lives lost, global shortages of fuel, fertilizer, and more have driven up costs everywhere.
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02 NPR News 🎧 The final straw for Makary was pressure from the White House to OK flavored vapes, which he didn't agree with, according to a federal health official familiar with the agency's management but not authorized to speak publicly. NPR's Sydney Lupkin tellsUp Firstthat the pressure he was facing had been building for a while and he survived a series of controversies during his time at the FDA. Lupkin adds that Makary was definitely disrupting the agency, which aligns with what the rest of the Trump administration has been trying to do to the federal government. As for Diamantas, he is a lawyer and not a medical doctor. Lupkin says the administration has faced difficulties getting some of its health picks confirmed by the Senate.
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03 Fox News Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns about strained weapons stockpiles outright, saying recent reporting has exaggerated the issue.
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04 New York Post “I don’t think enough has been stated about the blockade and the power of the blockade and the dilemma that our blockade creates for them,” Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
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05 Washington Times At a hearing before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Mr. Hegseth said the U.S. military has contingency plans for either an increase in hostilities or a drawdown if peace succeeds.
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06 The Intercept Experts also expressed skepticism at this revised count. “The costs of this war are still growing, and the Pentagon is still not being straight with taxpayers or lawmakers about the numbers. If the numbers being thrown around in committee hearings were complete, why would the Pentagon continue withholding a comprehensive, itemized cost assessment from Congress?” said Gabe Murphy, a policy analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog advocating for an end to wasteful spending. “Taxpayers deserve answers, and lawmakers need them in order to craft a responsible budget.”
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07 USA Today More Videos Trump news and schedule today, gas tax, Iran war, Indiana footballTrump calls Iran’s response to peace proposal ‘totally unacceptable’Melania Trump shares rare insight on Barron and her motherTrump orders reflecting pool painted 'American Flag Blue'
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08 NBC News UP NEXT April inflation rate surges to 3.8% amid uncertainty in the Middle East 05:08 Black lawmakers speak out against Alabama redistricting plan
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